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St. Alban's, Herts. - Has applied to Lord Derby for a literary pension to complete the Biographia Britannica; seeks Houghton's support.

Reports that his hay fever has improved somewhat, so he can 'behold the face of nature without sneezing therein'. but that he does not intend to travel immediately. Intends to be 'hanging about London' towards the end of July, 'seeing the Academy, going to Eton, examining at Harrow and so on.' Announces that he will go to the Lakes with Trevelyan on 10 August for a short time. Asks his mother to inform him of what she is doing, and of her plans. Undertakes to come to visit her in the autumn; 'the latter part of September.' States that he is 'reading now pretty hard, and very much enjoying the complete freedom and leisure. Reports on the cleaning and painting and possible gilding of their Hall, which activities are being carried out under the 'civilizing influence' of the new Master [W. H. Thompson]. Announces that they are 'actually going to dine on chairs' after the vacation. Remarks that 'Mr. Martin unwillingly yielded to the irresistible tendency of the age of luxuriousness.'

Reports that the Italian [funds] are maintaining themselves, much to his surprise, and that his speculations have not been very successful, but he is better off than certain of his friends who 'put into certain banks.' Refers to the '[inquiry] inflicted by the ruin of Agra and Masterman's bank'. Asks her to tell Arthur that he is sending him a set of papers that Roche Dakyns forwarded to him. Hears that William is still in Oxford, writing. Wishes that he himself was writing, and intends to begin very soon. Reports that 'Trevelyan has some fresh book on hand.' States that they have 'taken rather a fit of writing at Cambridge'; that two or three of his friends have got books on hand. Announces the presence of a poetess in Cambridge: Mrs Webster, who has 'just translated the Prometheus of Aeschylus rather well', and of two or three novelists; 'one writer in the Times, two in the Saturday Review etc etc.' Refers to the fact that Lord Derby 'is to be Premier', and laments that his own chance of 'getting anything good has gone by'.

WW discusses his historical approach to architecture: 'I look at the features of the architecture and pronounce very authoritatively what the date and history of the building ought to be. This does vary also when I take a large and distant field like France or Germany...But it would not do so well for a single building in England; people would certainly expect me to shew by some external evidence that the period and circumstances of the work were what my doctrines make them'. Is HJR 'surprised at the election for speaker? I suppose not, for by this time you must have learnt to be surprised at nothing. Stanley's conduct seems to me to be as great a gain for the conservative cause as the loss of the speakership is a loss. As for church reform I dare say it will be a reasonably well compounded dose when one considers the doctors; and probably when the first soreness of the application is over we shall be but rather better than worse for it - at any rate we must hope it will be so as our good hopes are the best inheritance we have left'.

Trinity Lodge - Guest [Edwin Guest] has been elected Master of RJ's old Cambridge College [Caius]: 'I know him principally as a zealous and laborious philologist'. WW wants to know whether RJ has been offered Buller's place on the new Commission: 'I thought that as the occasion occurred so soon after Lord Derby saying that though he could not give you a retiring pension, he thought you had a claim to be appointed to an active office'.

Also three letters from others regarding Sophie MacCarthy: letter from C. G. Barrington, 14 Dec. 1865; Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, 11 Jan. 1861; [Mary?] Brunel, 9 Apr. 1870.

'There exists no foundation on which a communication to Scholefield [James Scholefield] would properly be made about his resignation. It is by no means clear Tate [Alexander Tate] has had any communication with him and the letter sent to me looks a little like a meddling volunteer feeler of Mr Tate's own. If I had not seen a much wider field of discussion on such subjects looming in the distance I should have taken no notice of it' [see RJ to WW, 24 Nov. 1852]. In politics RJ considers 'the Whigs crushed but they have still faith in their strategy'. The cabinet of Lord Derby's is 'shaken to pieces and recomposed with Peelites and Palmerstonians will probably be the next move and a really able liberal conservative administration might have a long and prosperous reign'.

RJ received a letter from Lord Monteagle containing one from Lord Derby. It seems Derby is unfavorable toward a pension but favorable about any office which might suit RJ. Consequently with the imminent resignation of Buller, Monteagle has advised RJ to apply for his office.

Signed in print by Derby.

RJ is still waiting nervously to know what his future will be: 'Ld. Derby apparently has sent no answer to either Lord Monteagle or the Bishop of London [-] it is impossible I think that he should dismiss the parties to Ld. Monteagle's memorial contemptuously. Ryan and I had been talking of getting you to press the Bishop to find out something of Ld. Derby's feeling. The pension I fear he has resolved against - though there is some hope that when parliament meets he may be squeezed about it not much hope I fear'. RJ would like to talk to WW over some plans and projects connected with public services which he has discussed with Edward Ryan. RJ will send WW 'what I have got through of the raw materials for my book of lectures[.] If I live one or two years more I shall have done enough to enable some one to develop my views even if I fall short of doing it myself'. RJ depends on WW 'for noting gaps in the argument or want of development in parts'.

RJ is anxious to know from Lord Monteagle whether his 'memorial has gone in'. Edward Ryan does not want RJ to write to Monteagle 'as he says he fully relies on his doing what he is best and does not like me to plague him'. The Cambridge Commission are all in London - George Peacock looks much better and Adam Sedgwick is blooming: 'Their report will be out in a week or 10 days at farthest[.] The evidence and report together will about equal the Oxford blue book in size - the report about 200 folio pages and that is all I know about'. No one knows what the composition of the next parliament will look like: 'The official Whigs say they have 316 and Ld. Derby 316 - 22 uncertainties[.] But the Whigs count the Irish Brigade 100 and the Hurnite radicals (100) and Ld. D's 316 are likely to split like a racket it is said and so the Peelites look on and expect to win at last'. RJ lives currently mainly at the Athenaeum.

RJ is pleased to say that WW's application to the Bishop of London on RJ's account, 'was the beginning of a move which appears likely to end in good and I enjoy the prospect the more because I feel how much of it I owe to you[.] Ld. Monteagle has been actively at work and finding a stronger feeling than I expected in part of the house of Lords[,] he has drawn up a statement (oddly enough a note from him is while I am writing put into my hands) which he now tells me has got signed by Richmond - Lansdowne - Fitzwilliam - Fortescue - Stradbroke - Harrowby - St. Germains - Brougham - Portman - Hatherton - Monteagle - and he means to try to get it signed by the Bishop of London (who is willing) and the Archbishop of York[,] the Bishop of Lichfield and the Bishop of Lincoln whom he is applying to. The getting these last signatures will occasion a little delay which is not perhaps any great mischief just now when Ld. Derby of course can think of nothing but the elections. The lay peers I am told are hearty and decided and say they will take part in any parliamentary movement if it should be necessary - of course I hope it may not - I need not speak and indeed could not do it adequately of Ld. Monteagle's kindness perseverance and efficient aid - he has done all and more than all that even you could expect or wish - and now we must wait a little longer in good hope however and with a certainty that my public life is not wholly forgotten'. Lord Derby 'will have 300 the Whigs say in the new parliament. Dizzy swears many more. The opposition 356 are divided into 3 squads. I am told indeed into 4 for there is a strong anti-Johnny feeling growing up among the pure Whigs - they might carry a vote of want of confidence but are not very likely to do it for they say themselves that they could not construct a lasting government. So it is thought likely Ld. D will stay in for a time. The Peelites, and some Whigs and radicals, speculate on a new parliament very soon for they must get one they say which will enable somebody to govern the country and the street boys echo - don't you wish they may get it'.

Volume with the title page "The Lyndhurst Papers used by Sir Theodore Martin, K.C.B. in writing The Life of Lord Lyndhurst published in 1884." The letters and writings have been tipped in and pasted in with cutouts to show both sides. The letters include those from Queen Victoria (to Lady Lyndhurst), Earl Grey, George Washington (to J. S. Copley senior), George Canning, the Duke of Wellington, T. B. Macaulay, the Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Robert Peel, King William (1835), Prince Albert, Maria Edgeworth, Lord Brougham, the Earl of Derby, and W. E. Gladstone.

Conservative Club rumours suggest that Lord Stanley has again failed to form an administration, Lord Clarendon sent for from Ireland, Peelites are willing to serve under Clarendon, certain that Lord John Russell cannot be Prime Minister again

Thinks Lord Stanley's refusal to form a government a scheme of Lord John Russell

Expresses her appreciation for his letter, which she received after seeing Mr [William] Boyd and Charles to the station, and explains that the presence of friends prevented her from writing to him. Reports that his Aunt [ ] came to stay, as did [John?] William, Katie and Annie Lace. She went with the latter three to Oxford, where she saw Mr Boyd at Merton College and Mrs Boyd and Charles at University College. Reports that Charles has been unwell.

Reports that she had been to Rugby, and that when she entered the house - Mr T. Evans' old one' - the servant told her that her master [Mr Palmer] 'was not quite sure that he was going away!!' States that she has since had 'an uncertain letter from Ladkin'. Is anxious that her family should have some place to call home. Reports that Fergus Moultrie is ill. States that she received a letter from Miss Mackenzie that day, and that Mrs Moberly has called upon her twice.

Reports that Henry's Aunt Ellen intends to pay her a visit for her last ten days in Leamington, and that she hopes to have Lucy Brown to visit as well. Asks him to tell her when his Easter vacation is. Hears that Henry's Aunt Lace is 'decidedly better', and that John Henry is still at home, no tutor having yet been found for him. Reports on the schooling arrangements for Robert, Alfred, Tryphosa and Julia, and remarks on how troublesome it is 'when you have very dull children to deal with!'

Announces that she is very anxious to have some absorbing book; refers to Herbert Spencer's book which William mentioned to her, and asks Henry to send it to her. Is very pleased to hear about Bernard. States that she has good accounts from Wellington College; that Minnie and Edward are both well, and that the baby's vocabulary is increasing. Remarks on the fact that Lord Derby is elected President of the College. States the report of Mr U[mpleby]'s death at Bolton Abbey is false, and that Christ Church, Skipton has a new incumbent, Mr Clarke, and that there is much anxiety about the appointment of a vicar of Bingley.

Reports that Henry's Aunt Mary Jane [Sidgwick] has been visiting her brother at Bathford, and that during her absence his Uncle Robert has been paying Mr Balme a visit at Cole Wall. States that times for the mills are very bad and that there are many unemployed people. Claims that she knows no one in Leamington, and does not like to ask for an introduction to Mr Martin's brother and sister. Reports that Ada Benson is now with the Dales at Dresden, and that she is better. Complains about the sermons she has heard in Leamington. Is glad that Arthur is well, and hopes that Henry is too, and asks if it is true that Sh[ ] has come to Cambridge. Reports that Mr Boyd has given her a beautiful book for Carte de Visite photographs, and encourages Henry to get his done for her. States that she has not yet seen Mrs Dakyns, but hopes to do so soon.

Embossed notepaper, Escrick Park, York. - Did not know there was an ailing poet in Escrick [Robert Ripley]; will ensure he does not starve; poet's eldest brother has army prospects, 'the rest of the family are not very interesting'. Regrets Lord Derby's defeat, as Lord John Russell can only agitate the country with a radical Reform Bill; Milnes' prospects at Pontefract.

The University election is a worry but after full consideration RJ will vote for Charles Shaw-Lefevre and Henry Goulburn. The latter should receive Lefevre's second votes. RJ thinks the 'Peelites will never form an administration of their own and will only come in as pendants to the Whigs who by force of circumstances have become the substantially conservative party'. Neither does he 'expect ever to see Goulburn in again at all. We have to choose apparently between him and Law [Charles Ewan Law] - now I should see with [Lord?] Stanley[,] Lord George[,] and Ben Disraeli strong enough to govern the country for a year and against Law who I consider one of them I should be ready to help a much worse man than Goulburn - there is much I admit to like in Stanley's character' but he has no 'practical talent for governing'. Everything at the moment 'points towards a Whig administration'. Did WW read an article on 'the primitive political economy of England in the last Edinburgh - I wrote it for Empson [William Empson - editor of the Edinburgh Review] who was begging for want of matter'.

The Knoll. - Sending papers [no longer present] on behalf of her aunt Harriet, who cannot intervene with Government on behalf of John Saunders owing to previous refusal of a pension; will Milnes forward the papers and destroy letter to her aunt. Harriet Martineau's feeble health.

Enclosed: letter from Katherine Saunders to Harriet Martineau, [Nov. 1858?]. St. Mary's Grove, Richmond. - Financial struggles of her husband, who has been deprived of work on the Railway Guide; could Martineau induce Bulwer Lytton or Milnes to approach Lord Derby? Her husband gave a successful lecture at Leeds but was too exhausted to appear at Manchester; his play has been his only consolation amid many disappointments. Encloses copy [no longer present] of letter sent to Derby through Bulwer Lytton. (2 ff.)